The relegation threatened visiotrs made much of the early running, and Miller and Burn were kept busy in the hart of the Darlington defence.

Then Bridge-Wilkinson sent in a long range shot, but Altrincham keeper Coburn was right behind it. Darlington defender Arnison was booked after a tussle with Piergianni.

Burn burst forward from defence to win a corner for Darlington, though Joseph did well to prevent him from getting a shot in. Quakers worked a short corner and when Gary Smith's cross came in Michael Smith headed narrowly wide.

A couple of robust Altrincham tackles upset the home side, but the referee settled for awarding free-kicks rather than cards, and Bridge-Wilkinson brough anoher routine save out of Coburn with a 25 yard free-kick.

The keeper was called upon to make a better save when Burn unleashed a dipping shot, and Coburn could only parry the ball, but his defenders bailed him out as Hatch and Michael Smith looked to close in for the kill.

It was all Darlington now and Michael Smith saw a header blocked from Brown's corner. Danylyk was booked for a late challenge on Bridge-Wilkinson.

Brown's free-kick was headed clear and the visitors broke forward for Twiss to blast a long range drive wide on 29 minutes in a rare Altrincham attack.

That spurred Darlington on again, and from Burn's pinpoint cross from the left, Michael Smith rose to had goalward, Cobun going full stretch to turn the ball over the bar, for a corner from which Burn headed wide.

Williams was booked for brining down Verma in full flight as the visitors continued with their rough tactics. Brown's free-kick was charged down by a packed defence.

At the other end Connors sent a long range free-kick over the bar. Then the same player burst clear when Darlington failed to deal with a throw in. His low shot brought the best save of the game so far out of Quakers' keeper Russell.

Itb was a warning that the home side had to keep the back door shut even though they were camped for long spells in the visitors' half.

Then Darlington came close, Arnison exchanging passes with Hatch before firing inches wide.

Verma had a 51st minute shot deflected for a corner, then Hatch fired wide from distance as Darlington started the second half as they finished the first.

On 54 minutes Darlington lost their most creative player, Bridge-Wilkinson limping off to be replaced by Terry, making his long awaited return from injury, while Altrincham brought on Johnson and Clee for Twiss and Danylyk.

Coburn saved well from Hathc after the powerful striker sent a shot towards the top corner, then the busy keeper had to scurry across his line to hold onto Michael Smith's header.

On 61 minutes Darlington increased their attacking options by bringing on striker Senior for midfielder Chandler, then Altrincham switched Williams for Bateson.

Coburn made another fine save, denying Senior after Michael Smith set him up 12 yards from goal, the keeper saving his first time shot.

Connors was next in the book for a foul on Verma. The free kick was only half cleared to Brown, whose shot towards the bottom corner was saved by Coburn, who continued to shine.

On 69 minutes Darlington made thie final change Campbell replacing Michael Smith. They neded a win to keep their hopes of reaching the play-offs alive, but were almost caught out on the break when Reeves stole in unmarked but volleyed wide.

The game was stretched now, with the visitors starting to threaten on the break as Darlington grew more desperate to push forward in search of a goal.

Hatch headed over from Brown's corner and Coburn saved from Campbell as chances came and went for Darlington.

But they were again almost caught out by a swift break, Johnson seeing his close range shot blocked byRussell.

However there was time for Altrincham to snatch a late winner when two minutes from time Reeves headed home Connors' cross.

Even after that Cmpbell had a chance but lobbed over the bar.

It was tough on Darlington, but their congested spell of fixtures appears to have caught up with them.